The Red Devils got past Sheffield United to get into the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Louis van Gaal is under pressure to perform for Manchester United tonightReuters

Premier League giants Manchester United will have to forget their shock loss at home against Southampton in the English league at the weekend as they prepare to take on Championship side Derby County in the fourth round of the FA Cup at the Pride Park Stadium on Friday evening.

The Red Devils come into the fourth round after a narrow 1-0 win against Sheffield United in the previous round of the FA Cup earlier this month, and they will be keen on keeping the momentum going. Derby, meanwhile, notched a 2-1 win over Hartlepool in the FA Cup third round to progress in the competition.

Both sides will be looking for an emphatic statement in the FA Cup on Friday night after recording defeats in their respective league matches last weekend. Therefore, the encounter makes for a good contest, even if the Red Devils look the better side on paper.

Speculation regarding Louis van Gaal's career was the point of discussion throughout this week, with reports saying the Dutchman was willing to step down from his post at United. He later rubbished the claims, but nonetheless, Van Gaal will be under pressure to secure a big win for United on Friday.

"When you lose, it is worse, and I predicted already, before the game against Southampton, that I cannot lose any more because I am then condemned for the fourth time that I have been sacked," the Red Devils manager was quoted as saying by the BBC ahead of the Derby game. "Maybe then you have written the truth, because sometimes it happens."

Midfield maestro Michael Carrick could be making his return after missing four games with a knee injury, but Matteo Darmian, Luke Shaw, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Phil Jones remain sidelined.

For Derby County, there is no major injury news ahead of the game.

The Rams have not been able to record a win or a draw against Manchester United in the FA Cup in their previous six meetings.